A few Somerset members have found themselves in the unusual position of commuting from a Chesterfield hotel for their Second Division match with Derbyshire, having been tempted north by the prospect of watching at one of the county game's most attractive festival venues before the fixture was switched to headquarters in Derby last week.

After enduring a rain-affected first day followed by a washed-out second, they finally had some worthwhile cricket to enjoy, with perky half-centuries from Peter Trego and Craig Kieswetter consolidating their position at the top of the table as they made 340. The Australian captains Simon Katich and Justin Langer then contrived to set up the possibility of a finish, Derbyshire declaring at 94 for two at tea.

Trego had struck 56 from as many balls, dominating a sixth-wicket stand of 88 with Ian Blackwell, who was unusually restrained against his former county. But both were upstaged by Kieswetter, another in the long line of overseas-born wicketkeepers tipped to play for England. The 19-year-old from Johannesburg faced only 43 balls for his unbeaten 52, striking Graham Wagg for three fours and a six in the penultimate over.

Ant Botha, another South African who has now qualified for England and is attracting interest from Warwickshire, claimed career best figures of six for 101 with his left-arm spin.

Shane Warne's ability to contrive positive results from unpromising situations will be severely tested at the Rose Bowl today. More than two days' play (220 overs) had been lost when they finally got on at 1.55 yesterday, with Sussex 64 for six in the first innings of the match, and they were dismissed for 145.

Warne will try to do a deal, because that is his nature, but Chris Adams, his opposite number, will be reluctant to bargain and a few overs before stumps Hampshire had moved to 91 for three. A draw here would not be the worst result for second-placed Sussex, especially as the leaders, Yorkshire, look unlikely to win their match.